ACC New Zealand’s Post

Men in focus: National consultation report | Our Watch consulted with 50 stakeholders from across Australia to explore what’s needed to build more coordinated and evidence-informed approaches to working with men and boys and addressing masculinities nationally as part of primary prevention of gender-based violence efforts. The findings from this report highlight key opportunities and priorities for strengthening prevention infrastructure to support work engaging with men and boys and addressing masculinities as part of primary prevention of gender-based violence efforts in Australia. This will support Our Watch’s future scoping of potential activities for the Men and Masculinities in Primary Prevention project and can also be used by governments and the broader primary prevention sector to guide future projects. A huge congratulations to Claire Varley, Jasmine Duong, Cameron McDonald, Shane Tas (he/him), Hamish Clarke and many others on pulling this report together. https://lnkd.in/gsDmyTPi

Free Webinars, Web Events and Podcasts Join the National Domestic Violence Hotline and Love Is Respect for “Conflict vs. Conversation: An open conversation with members of the love is respect National Youth Council about healthy conflict resolution for teens and young adults on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST. “Conflict is an unavoidable aspect of any relationship, but when emotions are running high, communication could go awry. Join members of the love is respect National Youth Council as they discuss ways teens and young adults can navigate difficult conversations healthfully, with mutual respect”. This session will be interpreted into both ASL and Spanish. For more information and to register, visit here: https://lnkd.in/ez5hME6u The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence offers “Serving Black Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence” on February 27 and 29, 2024: “Black women-identified survivors have been disproportionately harmed by the triple pandemics of COVID-19, intimate partner violence, and racial injustice. As a field, we must boldly design and create innovative approaches to service provision. These webinars will give advocates the tools and practical strategies to identify, reach, and effectively serve this population. Presenters will offer highlights from their newly released 4-part NRCDV TA Guidance document series of the same name. The series includes: Part 1: Providing Survivor-Centered, Culturally Responsive, Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Care Part 2: Taking an Intersectional Approach Part 3: Understanding Reproductive Coercion, Non-Fatal Strangulation, and Intimate Partner Homicide Part 4: Using a Web of Trauma to Understand Black Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence” For more information and to register, visit here: https://lnkd.in/e4ECxS6M

Register to attend - 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence Join SSI and guest speakers Elena Campbell and Prof. Kelsey Hegarty in a webinar exploring how we can better equip and support front-line responders such as nurses, educators, general practitioners and community workers in handling disclosures of Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (FDSV).   Front-line responders are crucial in addressing FDSV, especially bi-lingual responders who work directly with culturally and linguistically diverse women. We need investment to enhance the capacity of these responders for early intervention and prevention. The webinar will feature: Elena Campbell, Associate Director - Research, Advocacy & Policy, RMIT – providing an overview of how prevention and opportunities for prevention were conceptualized in the recent Rapid Review on Approaches to Prevention document and the opportunities this presents for policy makers. Prof. Kelsey Hegarty, Chair of Family Violence Prevention General Practice and Primary Care – providing insights into the opportunities for prevention and early intervention across the whole spectrum of health services and insights she has gained from her work undertaking research projects in multicultural communities.    In support of #16DaysOfActivism #16Days Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/d6A6wxp2

The Australian Government funded White Ribbon to deliver the “Engaging Communities in Sexual Violence Primary Prevention” project. White Ribbon Australia is proud to share our learnings with the sector, contributing to the benefit and growth of everyone involved in primary prevention through Community Action Groups (CAGs). ANROWS, the Australian National Research Organisation for Women's Safety, has evaluated the White Ribbon Community Action Group model and found that: 👉Community-led approaches are proving effective in raising awareness and deepening our understanding of violence against women, including sexual violence. 👉Flexibility is Key: Prevention models must be adaptable to the unique needs and contexts of different communities. 👉Prioritise Capacity Building: education and skill development is crucial for those designing and implementing interventions. 👉Invest in primary prevention interventions: vital as a long-term strategy. Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3XAScsA

A substantial commitment from the Federal government to end Violence against Women and Children, which is to be welcomed. However, all the focus is on services and service providers (which are needed). It would be even better to focus on the women and children that the services are supposed to serve. Women and children with lived experience of violence from those who are supposed to protect them often need: 1. Resources for women to leave their destructive relationship: new shelter, job, schools for children escaping violence at the time they are needed 2. Resources for the women and children to find stability, heal from their trauma and learn new skills that will set them up for their new life 3. Accountability for the perpetrator- quicker turnaround time for court, with resources to help women and children see justice being served- Legal aid, protection from further violence, and an approach that believes the women and children, not rewarding the perpetrator's legal team tp win on legal loopholes, not moral grounds 4. Restoring AGENCY and RESTITUTION, so that women and children can rebuild their lives From a frontline worker who has expertise in intimate partner and family violence, resources need to be put into providing evidence based care at the frontline at the right time and right place, with the right people, NOW. Because the next time might be too late.

On Wednesday, Micaela Cronin tabled the First Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commission Yearly Report, marking a significant milestone in the 10-year National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children. This report underscores the urgent need to support resource-strapped services and engage men in all aspects of ending violence, including efforts to redefine masculinity. The sobering statistics shared by Micaela in her National Press Club address highlight the gravity of the situation: a shocking 11% increase in sexual violence in just the past year, with First Nations women 33 times more likely to be hospitalized and six times more likely to die. Alarmingly, 60% of LGBTQI+ individuals will experience family, domestic, or intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Additionally, the Australian Institute of Criminology reports a 28% increase in women killed by intimate partners over the last two years. Why is this important? These issues are not just critical in the broader community but are particularly pressing within the veteran community, where trauma, stress, and the impacts of service can exacerbate the risk of violence. We need to get better at talking to our men and listening to them. Men must be part of every aspect of ending violence, and this requires leadership from both men and women. Trauma-informed intervention options, better information sharing, and improved risk assessment and management are essential. Finally, prioritising data collection is crucial. We need accurate data to understand where services are needed, measure their effectiveness, and ensure we are truly making progress in ending gender-based violence. This is about ensuring safety, not just for women and children in the broader community but also for those within our veteran community who have given so much to our country. To watch the press club address visit: https://lnkd.in/ebmyCA5Z To view the report visit: https://lnkd.in/eB9yszEV #stoptheviolence #fdv #IPV #StoptheViolence #FDV #IPV #veteranfamilies #defencefamilies Micaela Cronin | Gwen Cherne

Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide, with nearly one in three women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the United Nations. Gruppo San Donato is proud to support women’s health through six Bollino Rosa hospitals, recognized by Fondazione Onda ETS for their excellence in services tailored to women’s needs, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The facilities awarded with Bollino Rosa this year include Policlinico San Donato, Ospedale San Raffaele and Ospedale San Raffaele Turro, Istituto Clinico Sant’Anna, Istituti Clinici Zucchi, Policlinico San Pietro, and Policlinico San Marco. This November, as part of the UN’s campaign to end violence against women, Gruppo San Donato is offering free psychological support at Policlinico San Donato. Victims can book confidential appointments with psychologists through a dedicated helpline. Together, let’s take a stand—because there’s no excuse for gender-based violence. #GruppoSanDonato #GSDHealthMag #ScienceBased #InternationalDayForTheEliminationOfViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls #NoExcuse #WomensRights 

Every action we take against domestic and family violence is a positive. The fact that we are discussing it is a positive. For so long it has been ignored, hidden, misunderstood, victim shamed and denied. This could be your neighbor, your friend, your sister, your daughter. You can’t see it. And covering it up is a web of entanglement. Saying it out loud is hard. Getting help is harder. Say it. Talk about it. Recognise that it is real and it is happening nearby. The more awareness we bring, the easier it will be for actions to be enabled. Yes, we need more than words. Words are the begining of action and action is the begining of change. So repost it, share it, talk about it, learn about it, look for it. And act on it.

Extensive research conducted by the Australian Childhood Foundation has revealed a critical insight: survivors of child sexual abuse often felt let down by the adults around them. They wished those adults had noticed the signs, known how to talk to them or responded with compassion when abuse was disclosed. This failure allowed the abuse to persist, unchecked. It's clear that efforts to protect children from abuse must prioritize the wisdom of those who have experienced it firsthand. Without centring their voices, our protective measures are inherently limited in effectiveness. That's why the Collective Experience Project is urging the Government to take action. By integrating mandatory education on child sexual abuse prevention into the Working With Children Check program, we can make a profound difference in the safety of all children. It's a straightforward change with the potential for far-reaching impact. Let's prioritize the safety and well-being of our children by implementing this crucial initiative.

Reflections from Te Tāmata Tipu - Toah-Nnest Sexual Violence Conference 2024: What a great two days at the largest sexual violence conference in Aotearoa's history, hosted in Ōtautahi Christchurch. I was honoured to stand alongside Louise Nicholas and Ken Clearwater (especially for this photo 🤣), gaining and sharing insights as our sector works towards lasting change for survivors and their whānau. My key takeaways: 💡 Survivor-centric change: True progress comes from listening to all survivors (men, boys, women and girls, rainbow and takatāpui, and tangata whaikaha, disabled people). Then empowering their voices, and having trauma-informed, grounded approaches that give survivors the power to choose their support. 💡 Collaborating for impact: Strengthening partnerships across sectors, and streamlining service delivery across sexual violence and family violence is essential to breaking down silos and delivering integrated, effective support. It’s what Te Aorerekura sets out at a strategy level - efficient at the delivery end too! 💡 Prevention & healing: It’s clear the sector needs more emphasis on prevention, rangatahi leadership, and healing pathways for survivors, their whānau, and communities. While LNT’s role in the sector is survivor and whānau support, and bringing survivor perspectives into our training and advocacy work, we contribute to reduction and we support organisations working in prevention. The material was tough, some more than others, but inspiring - reminding us that every action counts. And for individual survivors, every action counts a whole lot!! To those in the sector: let’s build on the learning and relationships, push for systemic change, and continue to stand together in this mahi. And to the conference organisers at Toah-Nnest - enormous thanks for a fantastic range of sessions, seamless logistics, and great kai. Awesome. #survivorcentric #TeTamataTipu #traumainformed #Sexualviolence #LouiseNicholasTrust #livedexperience #survivoradvocacy #makingchange #toahnnest